Leeds (Province of Canada electoral district)

Leeds was a historical electoral district in the Province of Canada. It existed from 1841 to 1867. It was located in what is now Ontario, Canada. The riding encompassed the geographic area of the County of Leeds.

History and Boundaries:

Established as one of the original electoral districts following the Act of Union 1840, Leeds elected one member to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. Its boundaries were generally aligned with those of the County of Leeds.

Representation:

The district consistently elected representatives to the Legislative Assembly throughout its existence. Prominent members who represented Leeds included individuals involved in various political factions and movements of the time. The political leanings of the elected members reflected the evolving political landscape of the Province of Canada in the mid-19th century.

Abolition:

With the Confederation of Canada in 1867, the Province of Canada was divided into the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The electoral districts of the Province of Canada were subsequently restructured to form the initial ridings for the new provincial and federal legislatures. The Leeds electoral district was replaced by electoral districts within the new province of Ontario, and its federal counterpart for elections to the House of Commons of Canada. Its legacy contributes to the ongoing understanding of the historical development of Canadian electoral geography.